Possibilities and problems of using MIM technology in manufacturing parts of aircraft elements made of titanium and titanium alloys

Abstract

This article discusses the growing trend in using MIM technologies in manufacturing small titanium parts with complex geometric configurations for aerospace and other industries. Mechanical properties can be affected by: density, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen content, microstructure, and doping content. It is proven, that oxygen degrades required properties of the parts obtained from titanium and its alloys using MIM technology. These properties particularly include tensile ductility, cold processibility, fatigue strength and resistance to stress corrosion. Using fine powder of spherical configuration improves purity of the surface of the final sintered products. However; it increases the content of impurities, in particular oxygen. It is shown, that the technological possibilities for obtaining parts using MTM-Ti are limited to sizes up to 0.05 m and weight up to 0.05 kg. Main factors of technological limitations in size and weight are the configuration of the part itself, the source material, and processing conditions. As an alternative to expensive spherical powders, it is possible to use titanium hydride powder.